"A city on the verge of greatness. A new type of city, based not on the man, but on the automobile. The car - the symbol of freedom and vitality." Herschel Biggs.
Cars are one of the many facets that make L.A. Noire a phenomenal game, with a large portion of your time spent driving around The City of Angels. Not only do cars add to the player's immersion, but they are also incredibly exhilarating to drive.
With a vast array of ninety five cars to choose, from Jack Kelso’s Chevrolet Fleetmaster 2DR to Roy Earle’s Vice Cadillac Series 62 Convertible. You might as well cruise and speed the city streets in style. In this list I am choosing my top ten cars of L.A. Noire.
10. Cadillac Series 62 Convertible
This beautiful convertible Cadillac is Roy Earle’s car. Wait a minute, I’m starting to sound like Richard Coombs. Anyway, it’s the car you’ll be spending most of your time driving whilst working the Vice desk. Unless you’re naughty and commandeer other vehicles.
To be perfectly honest I’m not a massive fan of how this car looks. It’s a bit too chunky for my taste. Having said that, the car makes the list because it is synonymous with the Vice desk. The car is also probably the only thing in the world that Roy Earle cares about.
Why the Cadillac Series 62 Convertible makes the list.
- Looks like a stylish convertible car. Drives like a truck, hell bent on ridding the city streets of criminals.
- Makes its first appearance in The Fallen Idol. Roy cruising up at the end of the mission and then driving Cole and Stefan to The Blue Room is a very stylish scene.
- Because ‘You can’t be seen slumming it in a Nash if you’re in Vice’.
9. Cisitalia Coupe
The Cisitalia Coupe is a two door sports car and can be found in the Belmont High School parking lot in the Homicide case The Golden Butterfly. The Cisitalia also features later in the game during the Homicide case The Studio Secretary Murder and is used to chase down and arrest James Tiernan.
An interesting fact for all the car freaks, I mean, nerds. The car’s aluminium body was shaped by hand, so only 170 were ever produced. Making the car a pretty rare specimen.
Why the Cisitalia Coupe makes the list.
- It’s a beautiful car, particularly with the black paint job, which shows off the white rimmed wheels perfectly.
- A very smooth, fast and responsive car. James Tiernan stands no chance as you bear down on him.
- It features in one of my favourite cases of the game, The Golden Butterfly.
8. Duesenberg Walker Coupe
No top ten article about cars would be complete without listing the fastest car in the game. Actually that’s a lie. Unfortunately, the max speed you can go in L.A. Noire is 86.66mph. Which is a bit annoying.
So let me rephrase, no list would be complete without listing the most powerful car in the game. The Duesenberg is an absolute monster, with a max power of 265 HorsePower. That’s a lot of horses.
Also this should blow your mind, in 1934 the car cost $25,000. Which in today’s money is $562,116. That’s three 1986 Ferrari Testarossas’, the iconic car from Miami Vice.
Why the Duesenberg Walker Coupe makes the list.
- Most powerful car in the game, It would be a crime not to include it.
- Comes with a purple paint job which makes me feel like Huggy Bear from Starsky and Hutch.
- Only a pharmacy tycoon is worthy, I mean, wealthy enough to own this beast.
7. Phantom Corsair
The Phantom Corsair is not the car we deserve, but the one that we needed. If you didn’t read that line whilst doing your best Batman impression, then please kindly see yourself out.
Ever wanted to feel like Michael Keaton’s Batman whilst roaming the city streets of L.A. Noire. Cleansing the world of criminals, protecting the weak and vulnerable. Ever felt like ‘It's not who I am underneath, but what I do that defines me’. Well this is the car for you.
All Batman jokes aside this is a pretty unique and cool looking car.
Why the Phantom Corsair makes the list.
- It looks like the Batmobile.
- It looks like the 1989 Batmobile.
- It makes you feel like Batman, in L.A, in the 1940’s.
6. Nash Super 600
The Nash Super 600 is a police vehicle. Rusty Galloway owns a rusty coloured version of this car, pun intended. It is provided to you in all six of the Homicide desk cases and is the ‘fastest’ of all the police cars.
It also features in the cases Upon Reflection and The Naked City. Though not an attractive looking car, I grew quite fond of driving it around.
Why the Nash Super 600 makes the list.
- Because maybe I do want to slum it in a Nash, Roy.
- It looks exactly like its owner, Rusty Galloway. The similarity is more shocking than the crime scenes you visit.
- Its outward appearance gives the impression of sluggishness. On the contrary, it’s pretty nippy and responsive.
5. Davis Deluxe
The Davis Deluxe is a hidden vehicle that can be found In a residential garage between Hollywood and Wilshire. In terms of attributes, the Davis Deluxe isn’t exactly special, it’s not fast or powerful.
However, it’s probably the most distinctive car in L.A. Noire. And it’s pretty hilarious to drive whilst playing as a serious officer of the law.
Why the Davis Deluxe makes the list.
- Arguably the most distinctive car in the game.
- Makes car chases challenging and hilarious.
- Makes you feel like you’re competing in the Winter Olympics, in a bobsleigh.
4. Hudson Commodore
The Hudson Commodore is a police vehicle and the personal vehicle of Herschel Biggs. It features or is available in all five of the Arson cases. The Hudson Commodore ushered in a new age of automobiles, the step down automobile.
Why the Hudson Commodore makes the list.
- My favourite partner is Herschel Biggs, it is therefore only natural that his car makes the list. In a respectable fourth place.
- Unique in that it is the only Hudson Commodore in the game.
- This was the last car Cole Phelps drove before his death.
3. Chevrolet Fleetmaster 2DR
The Chevrolet Fleetmaster 2DR is a classic car in L.A. Noire. Jack Kelso owns a distinctive blue version and it is the car you’ll be using whilst playing as Jack. It makes appearances in House of Sticks, A Polite Invitation, and A Different Kind of War.
Why the Chevrolet Fleetmaster 2DR makes the list.
- A classic looking car, synonymous with the forties.
- Jack Kelso’s personal vehicle. I grew quite fond of driving Jack's car.
- Appears in some of my favourite cases of the game.
2. Ford Police Special
The Ford Police Special is the first car you drive in L.A. Noire. It is first seen crossing a bridge with Cole Phelps in the driver’s seat and Ralph Dunn riding shotgun.
It makes appearances in all four of the Patrol desk cases, Upon Reflection, Armed and Dangerous, Warrants Outstanding and Buyer Beware. It is regularly seen in subsequent cases.
Why the Ford Police Special makes the list.
- Though not as stylish or distinctive as the other cars on this list, it is the first car you drive. I have found memories of this car, as it started me on my L.A. Noire journey.
- The car is unable to play KTI Radio, though initially a perceived negative. I actually enjoyed just driving around and hearing the sounds of the city.
- The only car that makes you really feel like a police officer.
1. Buick Super
The car that makes the first place spot is the Buick Super. This car epitomises the 40’s automobile, with the chrome grill and gun sight hood ornament. It is also the personal vehicle of Stephan Bekowsky.
I mean, it would be a crime if I didn’t put the car that you drive whilst working the Traffic desk, in first place. It is also a very stylish and slick vehicle.
Why the Buick Super comes in first.
- This is the car that Cole Phelps uses during the memorable tailing of Elsa back to her apartment. You naughty boy Cole.
- It’s Stephan Bekowsky’s personal vehicle.
- It’s an absolute pleasure to drive and I have fond memories of Cole and Stephan bantering away whilst driving through L.A.
So there it is, my top ten cars of L.A. Noire. Do you agree with this list? Are there any cars that I should have included instead?
